Gov. DeSantis responds to Florida state park controversy

Gov. Ron DeSantis responds to the controversial plans to build additions to various Florida state parks.

[@dalerobinson8456]

Ron... these are not improvements! They are detrimental to the mission of a state park. Shut this down!

[@susankilleen2011]

He is such a liar

[@KawakebAstra]

boo DeSantis sold out to developers 🤑 .. U installed Ur puppet as commissioner in Dist 3 St. john’s county .. U ‘n all Ur installed puppets need ousting . enough of overriding constituents will

[@SebastianGavalas]

Lol, like a golf course is an improvement to state park. Unbelievable. Send this man to environmental science 101

[@lorilynn610]

Did you people making negative comments even bother to listen to what he said here????

[@susankilleen2011]

@@lorilynn610 why? All he does is lie

[@johnx4181]

BS stay the F out of the state parks

[@miloauker8706]

Improve the wildlife!!!! Not development. Oust the officials who approve development.

[@politicsuncensored5617]

Gov. DeSantis do NOT touch the few great nature parks that we have in Florida. I have been playing golf since 1967. This is a horrible idea of putting a golf course & hotel in the parks. This is a bad and really stupid idea considering the hurricane threat along our coasts. Shalom

[@ericmckinney4607]

This what will happen to national parks if another Republican president gets into the White House.

[@gabyfields3235]

@@ericmckinney4607 national parks in the U.S. are unique in the world, and should be declared sacrosanct and off-limits for ALL presidents and their administration!

[@politicsuncensored5617]

@@ericmckinney4607 Karen the president of the USA past or current had nothing to do with this. Grow up & get out of your mamas basement. Shalom

[@8180634]

He's trying to make a non partisan issue a partisan issue. Trying to drive a wedge between us because that will weaken the resistance. We're working together, Democrats and Republicans, to save our state parks. This is not a partisan issue, don't let him divide us.

[@Victorseafog]

He sure is. Nothing partisan about this. Pure greed.

[@gso1279]

An unknown source leaked a memo that no one can trace to real plans…that’s not political activity on the leaker? I mean, law says local has to do this ther was no way Desantis was actually doing this that is not how park money gets spent

[@Furryfeather]

Maga new technique is cram their beliefs thru . The loud cult usually out shouts common sense without question. Thank you Florida for uniting and saying no to the divisive governor.

[@sparkleevenmore9638]

It’s what he does best. He’s a craven partisan coward.

[@deebelz7089]

Exactly, this isn't a partisan issue. This is a Floridian issue. He's not happy if he isn't dividing us! Because he knows we are a force when we work together.

[@terrygrady7683]

As a republican, I smell a rat.

[@lalarn5387]

Same

[@venessamaxwell8105]

What a sophomore

[@comfortablynumb9342]

The GOP is full of rats.

[@Kudal196]

I smell garbage

[@Furryfeather]

I'm republican also. This Maga party stinks

[@kensota]

Bottom line....protect Florida state parks from "improvements" such as golf courses, pickleball courts,, hotels, etc.

[@RaggedyHobo]

I guess “improvements” are in the eye of the beholder.

[@hihatjas9477]

When a natural resource is gone it's gone for good.

[@pctrashtalk2069]

Your discriminating against people who can't afford a expensive camper. Shame

[@Willdevl]

@@RaggedyHobo That is technically true lol, it's an improvement to someone who wants to drive less to get to a golf course. Not even close to a reasonable move towards that stuff vs natural Florida; for the people, land, and animals.

[@RaggedyHobo]

@@Willdevl Yep. I’ve actually been to quite a few state parks in different states and most seem to tend towards the natural. I have never seen a fancy hotel or a golf course in one.

[@SandcastleDreams]

DeSantis leave our land alone!

[@kirk1618]

As a FL resident, and a no party affiliation voter, I will vote against any politician that supports modifying state parks. If a new park is placed in service, and these features are part of the new park, that's fine. Leave current state parks as they are. Do the maintenance!!

[@patriciagrubb1616]

Bottom line here. Leave State parks alone. No golf courses or pickle ball. Don’t spin this. People are not buying into this. Parks are for nature and wildlife. This is really getting out of hand.

[@edkrumeich3265]

Why do I get the feeling that this guy is full of it?

[@bander9]

because he is full of it, trust your feelings.

[@seanhodge27]

Because he is!!

[@Furryfeather]

Lawyers 😂

[@mindyrose1129]

a think a little Kamala is coming out of him

[@marisortiz273]

"Improvements" ? Our state parks are treasured!!

[@waterwomaninFL]

They absolutely are! Like we don’t have enough development. Also my husband is a retired CO and there are plenty of reasonable places he can play golf!

[@alycarver9612]

Really? He didn’t know anything about it? I feel like if I really didn’t know anything about something that the whole state was freaking out over it would not take me a week to come out and tell people that.

[@robertstevens9004]

Who was receiving the BIDS for the hotels who was receiving the BIDS for the golf courses in Scott office or were the bids going to your office Ron

[@robertstevens9004]

Who's receiving the BIDS in his office

[@Furryfeather]

He knew. He was pushing anti environment & he assumed the loud mouth maga cult would drown out common sense. He was wrong. He is a trained attorney & that makes him so dangerous. He can make his bad decisions look like someone else's fault.

[@WeAllLaughDownHere-ne2ou]

@@alycarver9612 he didn't know about it but he was QUICK to defend it. -He repeatedly called it "improvements". -He complained about the plans being leaked. And he tried to blame Democrats for leaking it. -Defend the plans as helping veterans and teachers access affordable golf. But he totally didn't know anything about it! He swears!

[@KCH55]

Florida needs a golf course in a state park like a hole in the head. Florida literally has over a thousand golf courses.

[@pctrashtalk2069]

It was not going to be free to use I would wager.

[@EDM-Jigger]

No no no, but remember, he said the majority of those courses are private. I literally want this man out of government so bad now. Dude has literally destroyed our state. like literally dude nowhere else in the US. has inflation like this state currently, especially in the housing market. I'm talking about a con or home that cost 2000 a month to rent is literally going for 35 to $4500 a month now. I guess quality of life in Florida is really going downhill fast.

[@RealJackHQ]

He’s just jealous that Michigan has more golf courses. 😁👍

[@pctrashtalk2069]

@@EDM-Jigger You have to work and save money over years and it has been that way forever. Debt is not your friend.

[@kwi5331]

Thank God it was leaked!

[@Furryfeather]

No leak. He's a lunatic with hurt feelings making up a story to save himself

[@mindyrose1129]

I am wondering if this had not leaked would they have just done it and then say oh well afterwards

[@yogigermain]

Not buying it…. Slimy

[@DavidCarter-nc7jx]

He's rambling and he's staying away from the parks issue. he's blowing smoke

[@kelj4517]

No one wants a hotel or golf course on state park land period! I live in the panhandle and have a lifetime state park pass for being a Veteran! There are plenty of hotels, golf courses and goofy golf within a 10 mile radius from the state park!

[@commonsense6967]

Wakulla Springs State Park has a historic Lodge that is booked up for months ahead at times! So are other state parks in FL with cabins to rent! More would be GREAT and much cheaper for middle class families that staying in some hotel!🎉

[@susankilleen2011]

Public land is not just leaked out. No state parks are to be developed

[@charlescoomer6080]

That's a back pedal if I’ve ever seen one.

[@maradrawsmagic]

💯💯💯

[@jtpalooki7757]

Not that easy in pumps!

[@Captc5766]

Yep. I’m an irritated Republican.

[@stephenmilton9998]

HELL NO !!!!

[@PC-mh4uh]

No one is complaining about repurposing an old golf course or military base. The problem is trying to turn our state parks into resorts!

[@dazed2040]

Camp Murphy is not a military base anymore. It's a State Park with lots of hiking, mtb tails, back county camping opportunities, RV sites and the Florida Trail runs though parts of it.

[@caroladamson3025]

I don't believe him😠

[@johnx4181]

Sounds like he is trying to sell it....don't do it slick

[@heribertorosabal-diaz1836]

Please stop talking sh.....stay out of state public parks 🏞️

[@juju-xx5xn]

He's not telling the truth about the state park controversy. He's just mad because him and others got caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

[@LisaSturgill-d5o]

How could a project that big be considered without a governor knowing, just like all the changes in how history is taught in schools, DeSantis said he knew nothing about it when the people stood up against it and it got national news, he very protective of his national image 2028. He needs to work on the property insurance crisis.

[@Darkhorse1975]

He did know, he had meetings with them

[@hihatjas9477]

Hillary Desantis didn't know anything but she certainly rambled on about it. Now what developer would benefit from all this 🤔

[@gso1279]

You don’t understand how govt works. Committees get assigned a project and they make proposals, they come up with ideas and the ideas get floated around to public and local etc, Desantis does not over see each local park development that is not how it works

[@Darkhorse1975]

@@gso1279 There is documentation he was meeting with these people.

[@commonsense6967]

The public LOVES his changes to schools, except for the lawless groomers and pedophiles who object.

[@patrickvanlandingham9972]

Bobble head proves once again that he one creepy dude

[@WRITE2MRS.SantaC]

He really is.. How did he become governor?? 😭

[@nighthawk_predator1877]

This dude is ruining our state one person and one acre at a time. Florida is experiencing death by a thousand cuts. He can't get out of office soon enough to suit me.

[@johnmidyette7563]

He is a good liar but we do not believe your false scouts oath, we know your penchant to hide from public viewing is no secret. We do not need yuppie pickleball or frickin golf courses or frickin hotels either. Leave our Fla Park Legacy for our grandchildren not Jack Nicholas fans and golf fanatics.

[@jimgraves62]

If this was "for the people" why was it a big secret to the people?

[@pinkstarfish1291]

He’s walking back on everything after the public outcry….he was outed and this is damage control. The people of Florida see who he is now. Take note when someone shows you who they are.

[@nighthawk_predator1877]

Just seeing who he is now?

[@RobertZemeckis2025]

wrong

[@gso1279]

Keeping Florida the best state in the nation takes a lot of ideas, not all of them will be good but there were no $s allocatecd and no actual concrete plans approved ….

[@pinkstarfish1291]

@@gso1279 seems like his gaslighting worked on you. Time to wake up.

[@pinkstarfish1291]

@@RobertZemeckis2025 wrong as in people like you still believe his lies

[@leenewsom7517]

He speaks with a forked tongue. 🐍

[@TheRealPlayBuoy]

He's a politician they all do it

[@hihatjas9477]

You can always tell when he's bs ing he slides that forked tongue repeatedly across his lips.

[@leenewsom7517]

@@hihatjas9477 😁👍🏻🐍

[@cherylbrown7768]

There are enough golf courses in Florida! Leave the parks alone!

[@DennisHarden]

Anytime something like this happens he always acts like he had nothing to do with it. I guess he thought it would slip through unnoticed.

[@frankwhitson2191]

Just like flying migrants from Texass to Martha's Vineyard !!!!

[@lorenajaimes1374]

That’s exactly what he wanted! But we’re not idiots lol

[@Darkhorse1975]

There are documented meetings he had with these people

[@commonsense6967]

@@frankwhitson2191That was genius!❤😊 DeSantis for POTUS 2028!

[@pctrashtalk2069]

He only talks to the big shots.

[@ajaanglea1862]

There are plenty of unused golf courses that could be used for this type of thing. Nothing is more expensive than destroying a state park and a wildlife habitat. People pay billions to hang out at our beaches and forests. Family friendly and welcoming for all ages. Plenty to do: boating, fishing, hiking, biking, tent camping and lots more. A great way for people who can’t afford to spend $300 a night to be on a beach. The yearly pass is a great way to be able to afford these outdoor activities. When is the last time you went on a hike near a beach and saw a couple deer? Thank you!!!

[@tstefanec8203]

Cape Coral has a golf course that they have let go dormant. It's already built!

[@ajaanglea1862]

@@tstefanec8203 These guys are pretty shady. The Dunes of Tuskegee??? The National airmen have never heard of them. The folds of honor aren’t listing them as an affiliation.

[@johnmidyette7563]

He is a good liar but we do not believe your false scouts oath, we know your penchant to hide from public viewing is no secret. We do not need yuppie pickleball or frickin golf courses or frickin hotels either. Leave our Fla Park Legacy for our grandchildren not Jack Nicholas fans and golf fanatics. And it ain’t broke Governor leave it the hell alone!!!

[@ashleyfl2010]

He is lying.

[@tonyrussi7777]

poor, indoctrinated socialist fool.Our Governor is GREAT and unlike socialist democrats he is NOT a liar. F U.

[@KawakebAstra]

spewing skewed perceptions this Gov can’t see forest for the trees.. the issue is preserving Nature ‘n land preservation for posterity

[@donnafechter5843]

Dumb Santos is full it he's lying.

[@danettefunston9763]

Your changing the subject, theres plenty of ways to get money for charities. We have enough golf courses already. We are all looking at you in a different light. You're talking about appealing to the people with money. The majority of fl probably wouldn't even use a golfcourse. It feels and smells like you're trying to attract the wealthy from other states and weeding out the little people. Theres more of us than your well to do friends and we can make a lot of noise at the ballots. Fl is losing precious land daily and our wildlife and future generations are going to suffer.

[@thomaslower5375]

I don’t believe his gaslighting at all 🇺🇸Vote him out !

[@mrright1068]

He has been the best gov ever in this state. If you dont like the GOP there is always NY and CA

[@frankwhitson2191]

​@@mrright1068: And what's the cost of your homeowners and vehicle insurance ??? The state has had 30 plus years to come up with a solution to lower premiums for insurance but did your costs decrease ?? Do you insure your property ???

[@RobertZemeckis2025]

@@frankwhitson2191 CA cost more

[@lorenajaimes1374]

Agree. The moment he messed with our nature and environment (the one thing FL is known and proud about) its over for him.

[@nighthawk_predator1877]

He can't run again. He will term out. Until then we have to try and survive all his stupid policies and corrupt attempts to line his own pockets. Same with the corrupt criminal Senator Rick Scott. Now Scott can be voted out in November!!! VOTE BLUE people up and down the ticket in Florida and across the country PLEASE!

[@YellowBrickFloyd]

Ron... you went and got caught, didn't you? You look and sound like a child who's been caught doing something they knew was wrong and then trying to explain their way out. This also looks like an episode of the popular show Yellowstone... with Ron playing the character Jamie Dutton. Well, listen, Jamie (Ron)....The Ranch ( FLORIDA ) comes first, and we, the people, want to preserve it, NOT overdevelop it.

[@Lucho0335]

We must protect nature and wildlife this was here before us and will be here after us ❤

[@miloauker8706]

None of the idiotic development is an “improvement”. What a joke

[@commonsense6967]

Wrong!

[@mayapastrana4444]

For someone who doesn’t know much about this, knows a lot!

[@frogkisser]

Every time he says " UH" take a drink.

[@KCH55]

Let you know when somebody is lying their pants off. This is it. Like you can hear his nervousness in his voice.

[@dorismaul9175]

He is trying to weasel himself out of it with lies.

[@gozznow]

Abandoned Army base? It was Camp Murphey! The army closed it gave it to the State of Florida and has been a State Park since 1950 and this Scrub pine area where the golf courses were going on is prime habitat for the Scrub Jay and Gopher tortoise. This has since reclaimed itself since its base years. It is a beautiful park. Save our parks!

[@shawnsullivan9547]

I had to stop watching this at the 3 minute mark 🤮. I think I threw up a little in my mouth. A " group of guys" in Palm Beach raised 50 million dollars to reserect a golf course in Palm Beach county? Have these people been off of their precious little island lately? Take a drive down U.S-1 in Palm Beach county and see what happens when they underfund an area within a few miles of their McMansions. 🤬

[@findingretirement6649]

DeSantis didn't approve it he just gave it the green light. He met with the developers back in April I wonder what they talked about then?

[@grrriallen7192]

“IMPROVEMENTS”??????: WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM ?????

[@johnmidyette7563]

Take Mar Largo for these Vet’s after Trump loses everything and goes to jail.

[@Jimarceo]

You would rather have another 4 years of this administration

[@luvlabso130]

John the Commie with a pink 👜 👛

[@craigsaimes4063]

TRUMP 2024!!!

[@socialanarchy081]

The charities for soldiers and first responders are usually the worst when it comes to embezzlement and defrauding their donaters.

[@JimMFishing]

The "abandoned military base" is the old Camp Murphy which became Jonathan Dickenson State Park when the State of Florida took possession in 1947. I'm very glad that it appears these ridiculous ideas of state park "improvements" have been shut down. I will say that our state parks can use some infrastructure improvements but not of the type that was proposed for these nine parks.

[@docjohnpaul1]

He's trying to cloak this idea as a charity. Truth is, we should take good enough care of our first responders and service members that their children will not have to rely on charities in the case of the early demise of their parent.

[@christopherdean2893]

Anytime you have to that much talking, something is wrong. He is lying when he says he knows nothing about it.

[@girlinterrupted4life]

Liar!!!!

[@tonyrussi7777]

You are the liar!

[@girlinterrupted4life]

@@tonyrussi7777 so you actually believe he hasn't heard anything about this proposal? You need to do more research my friend.

[@allipaige3592]

The fact you are still calling these ‘improvements’ is infuriating. There are plenty of other places they can do this, stay out of our parks!!! 😡

[@sjwilson1079]

Left wing group??? It's the state parks!!!!

[@j.mancilla8339]

DeSatan got his a$$ handed to him...now he's trying to spin a new narrative 😂

[@leenewsom7517]

Y E S "Do Nothing" !

[@maradrawsmagic]

All I see is a bunch of smoke screens & mirrors. Nobody believes DeSantis “didn’t know anything about it”. He’s trying to justify the development saying “it’s for the kids” & “police & teachers”….STOP IT.

[@barbarahering484]

I can't wait until he is out of office !!!

[@gloriafrega6871]

SREW PICKLE BALL!😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤🤯

[@brobb00]

I think he might be the worst governor Florida's had since the Confederates

[@bander9]

Even Jesus thinks this is a bad idea DeSantis, but you wouldn't listen to him. He's not calling you anymore, you're off his BFF list.

[@donnac999]

It's the ol' blame game. So tiring! No golf or pickleball in our state parks period.

[@maroosk]

His talking is complete bullshit! Vote him out!!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

Desatan is the reason I don't move back to my home state. I miss a lot of things about FL, but not the "leadership".

[@mattmalyj7964]

IMPEACH DESANTIS AND ALL DEVELOPERS REVOLUTION NOW!!!!

[@gso1279]

You’re insane, literally nothing happened

[@anthonyaz6525]

AD MORE, DONT TAKE MORE. OUR PARKS SHOULD BE PROTECTED, THE MILITARY BASE MAKE IT A STATE PARK.

[@ramonperez2685]

The left this, the left that. Always blaming the left.

[@joeburton30A]

He always seems so angry.

[@nighthawk_predator1877]

He's a mini trump. Just a weak bully who's been our albatross for almost 2 terms now. Can't stand even seeing him on tv. UGH

[@yogawithkelsey]

He still thinks he’s going to make “improvements”

[@dionlee3920]

dont try and gloss over issues Ron , come on now

[@canadiangirl5119]

Omg, improvements??? Leave state parks alone!! Find other ways to support groups…. Hotel, golf, pickleball, etc…. Those are money makers and wonder for who?? BS….

[@4kmentality]

It's officially becoming a bipartisan sentiment for all Floridians that DeSantis is terrible for this state.

[@ericmckinney4607]

DeSantis is a lousy liar and a terrible excuse for a human being.

[@curtisolsen1796]

trump hands

[@ultimatebeachfutbolleague5734]

Corruption at its finest.

[@PuffOfSmoke]

He's blaming the progressive for his bull crap. Nobody's buying your lies. 😂

[@fatronjones]

He uses that all for cover.

[@TDT-2405]

Floriduh and Texas; what a post democracy America looks like.

[@pso777atlantika]

Typical trump style backpedaling: "I didn't know anything about it." except the order for Park Planning to drop everything and write up amendments for the 9 parks asap came from his office. And as for the golf course in Johnathan Dickenson Park was set for ground breaking this September. All 9 parks were earmarked to get pickleball courts. So.maybe we need to look into whis of his buddies has a construction company that focuses.on recreation courts

[@user-ey5mv5cp9d]

Im all 4 the kids!! But what was gonna go down was not about that.

[@Shannon-ij1pm]

Ron got caught doing the bidding of land developers and is doing damage control. Deflect Ron Deflect.

[@musicgram08]

This is all so confusing? If voters and news media, as well as our government leaders, remember there already exist many Florida Military and Veterans Benefits. The state of Florida offers special benefits for service members, Veterans and their families including homestead tax exemptions, state employment preferences, education and tuition assistance, vehicle tags, as well as hunting and fishing license privileges. Eligibility for some benefits may depend on residency, military component, and Veteran disability status. How is this golf funded education scholarship program different than existing education scholarships such as programs supported by Florida Lottery? It is well known the state of Florida cuts back funding to education rather than supplement education funds with Lottery profits. Yet some out of state charity can come use land at Florida state parks to supplement existing Veterans education benefits provided by the state of Florida? Exactly what would the golf profits do? Will the Florida generated profits from golf be taken out of the state to use for Veterans in other states with less generous benefit programs than Florida? Veterans benefits, such as education, should be a federal obligation but somehow it seems states such as Florida have added the national burden to our state economy with these various programs which nobody in state government seems to remember.

[@rjjjr868]

Worse governor in America

[@arodriguez2007]

CA has him beat

[@arodriguez2007]

Well, MN one is awful also

[@myteeone8619]

There's nothing to stop the greedy from Development outside of the parks. Keep them 😂 Out and pretending to be for veterans etc is a poor cover up for greedy corporations

[@MiamiPush2theLimit]

ENOUGH WITH RUINING OUR ENVIRONMENT.

[@hanwin651]

Save state parks . They are so beautiful as wild !

[@haroldwillrich8135]

Ron is finished in Florida politics once his term as governor is over, the people of Florida is done with his politics.

[@glendavis57]

he continues to bow to big money, he is no longer in the driver seat but a passenger that is along for the ride wherever the big money takes him,

[@yvettetrespalacios]

Governor DeSantis, I appreciate your hard work on protecting the manatees in which the population has exploded! I also appreciate and thank you for the great lengths you took to preserve and expand the environment. I have to wonder, however, how it is that by building pickleball courts and golf courses, as well as luxurious 'glamping' making improvements??? Why not add primitive camping and semi-primitive--without the glamping and RV camping? Withlacoochee State Forest has these activities for young and old alike. We need children to have more activities by interacting with nature, not more sports. Didn't you like to play in the woods as a little kid? I read that you wanted to bring in more visitors by building more sports activities. It may have been fake news. But if not, we have enough people visiting Florida state parks, and more coming due to Florida's continued growth in population anyway. A sheriff spoke on this initiative recently, [disclaimer, I don't know if he's the sheriff you mentioned in this video] and he stated that by implementing the initiative would bring in crime and other problems. I also remember seeing you on television last summer announcing that you wanted more people to be active. The first impression I got was that it was a sound idea. But then the Great Outdoors Initiative was recently announced. This measure is not a good idea. Thank you.

[@myteeone8619]

Don't need pickle ball courts or more golf and other concrete crap. They only pad a few pockets!

[@chrismatteson2337]

Improvements???!!!!!???

[@mikeday1305]

Got caught, blah blah blah!

[@bonniebriggs3880]

Even you don't believe what you're saying Ron...you are half baked! Step down now!

[@richardjordan4232]

Florida don’t need golf courses